Yellow fever vaccination: some thoughts on how much is enough [Vaccine 23 (2005) 3908-3914]

Vaccine. 2007 Jan 2;25(1):10-1. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.12.052. Epub 2006 Jan 18.

Abstract

In a recently published article in this journal, Massad et al. contraindicates yellow fever vaccination to persons 60 years or older, considering that the risk of serious adverse events is higher for this age class. The conclusion was based on the input of available data on age-related probabilities of developing serious adverse events in the United States, as well on other data not firmly established. We consider such contraindication inadequate, because the data input has limitations, higher letality of wild-type yellow fever infection in older adults, risk of introduction of yellow fever by travelers into new countries, lower risk of vaccine adverse events in revaccinated or immune people in endemic countries, and the experience of Brazil, with only one suspect case of associated viscerotropic disease in an individual older than 60 years. The model proposed by Massad et al. is useful but can lead to different conclusions, depending on the epidemiological context and individual risk profile.

Publication types

  • Comment
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Assessment
  • Vaccination
  • Yellow Fever / prevention & control*
  • Yellow Fever Vaccine / administration & dosage*
  • Yellow Fever Vaccine / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Yellow Fever Vaccine